Alaska news

• Tuesday, March 8th’s Three to Read: catch up on Iditarod 44

  08-03-2016 23:33
  
  Dallas Seavey’s team, pictured here at the Willow restart, was ready to run. (Photo by Ben Matheson / Alaska Public Media.Two days into the race, Iditarod strategies are coming into sharper contrast. As mushers leapfrog one another, here’s what you need to know to be up to speed on the 2016 Iditarod.Run/Rest Quick Hits
  As the race reaches the Kuskokwim River, Sebastion Schnuelle at the Iditarod Insider gives a quick rundown of who’s resting and where. While early race leader Ni
  
  Read more

• 17 journeys for 17 Iditarod rookies

  08-03-2016 22:34
  
  Sled builder Cody Strathe explains the braking systems on one of his sleds.
  The vast majority of mushers driving dog teams in this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race are veterans.
  The field of rookies is small and their goals are varied, but they’re all taking cues from seasoned veterans.
  There are only 17 rookies competing in this year’s Iditarod. Many aim simply to finish, but for a few, claiming ‘Rookie of the Year’ status is something to shoot for.
  “It&rs
  
  Read more

• Dave Clark Five: Glad All Over

  08-03-2016 21:51
  
  “I’m feelin’ (glad all over) Yes, I’m-a (glad all over) Baby, I’m (glad all over) So glad you’re mine…”
  The Dave Clark Five were actually the first English group to tour America in May of 1964, and thus the first to spearhead the ensuing rock ‘n’ roll “British invasion” that changed the world. GLAD ALL OVER features newly filmed interviews with Tom Hanks, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Bruce Springs
  
  Read more

• DeNure scratches in Rainy Pass

  08-03-2016 21:26
  
  Zoya DeNure prepared to start the 2016 Iditarod. (Photo by Patrick Yack/Alaska Public Media)
  Willow musher Nicolas Petit was the first musher in to the Nikolai –checking in at 8:41 Tuesday morning.
  Reigning Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey trailed Petit into the checkpoint less than 25 minutes later.
  Dallas’s father – and 2-time Iditarod winner – Mitch Seavey is in third place, checking into Nikolai at 9:23 a.m.
  Three musher have scratched, so far.
  Delta Junction’s Z
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Nature: Snow Monkeys

  08-03-2016 21:17
  
  Snow monkeys huddle over thermal vents to keep warm during the coldest of winter days. Most primates are found in the Earth’s tropical regions, but somehow this hearty population of monkeys has managed to eke out a living in the frigid mountains of Northern Japan. They are the northern most living primate – aside from humans. Jigokudani (Hell’s Valley), Japan. (Photo Courtesy of Joseph Pontecorvo/©THIRTEEN Productions LLC)
  In the frigid valleys of Japan’s Shiga Highl
  
  Read more

• Last Days of Vietnam

  08-03-2016 21:09
  
   
   
  (Photo courtesy of © Bettman/Corbis)
  During the chaotic final weeks of the Vietnam War, as the North Vietnamese close in on Saigon, the US Government remains in congressional gridlock. With the clock ticking and the city under fire, American soldiers and diplomats take it upon themselves to save as many South Vietnamese lives as possible. LAST DAYS OF VIETNAM recounts the closing hours of this bitter conflict.
  Tuesday, March 22. 7:00 pm
  
  Read more

• Tribute to Downton Abbey

  08-03-2016 20:56
  
  PBS celebrates the highly acclaimed DOWNTON ABBEY in this one-hour special. The final episode drew an average audience of 9.6 million viewers and is the most-watched finale of the series’ six seasons.
  Sunday, March 13. 7:30 pm
  
  Read more

• Petit first to arrive in Nikolai

  08-03-2016 19:17
  
  Nicolas Petit at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod in 2015. (Photo by Josh Edge, APRN – Anchorage)
  Girdwood musher Nicolas Petit is the first competitor into the Nikolai checkpoint.
  Dallas and Mitch Seavey are running in second and third place, respectively, with Wade Marrs trailing in fourth.
  Pete Kaiser, Hugh Neff, Aliy Zirkle and Lance Mackey are currently in fifth through eighth place, only a few mile behind the front runners.
  Nikolai is 263 miles into the race. Next, mushers will m
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Trail Mix: An Iditarod reporter’s ambitious reading list

  08-03-2016 18:00
  
  Trail Mix is Alaska Public Media’s trail reporters’ inside perspective on covering the Iditarod.
  Whenever I travel, I bring something to read. Even when I know the chances of finding time to finish an article or a chapter are slim to none. Usually on work trips I try to quiet my mind in airport lounges or onboard planes with a book or magazine article. Or else it’s something else to slow down my thoughts when I’m tucked in for bed.
  APRN Iditarod trail reporter Zach Hughes
  
  Read more

• Alaska budget director raises issues with House proposals

  08-03-2016 17:56
  Alaska budget director raises issues with House proposalsGov. Bill Walker's budget director is pushing back against some of the House budget proposals.March 8, 2016
  
  Read more

• Iditarod mushers battle “The Crud”

  08-03-2016 17:15
  
  
  Allen Moore, pictured Sunday, is battling “the crud” on the Iditarod trail.
  In the first couple days of racing, Iditarod dog teams are running along some of the roughest parts of trail reported on this year’s Iditarod. But the actual trail may not be the challenge. A handful of mushers are sick and others are making an effort to keep their dogs race ready.
  Listen Now
  When he arrived in Skwentna, Allen Moore says he could barely talk. By the time he arrived in Rainy Pa
  
  Read more

• Petit retakes lead on the way to Nikolai

  08-03-2016 17:09
  
  A team leaves the gate at the Iditarod ceremonial start on Saturday, March 5, 2016. (Photo by Patrick Yack/Alaska Public Media)
  After briefly relinquishing the lead Monday, Nicolas Petit is back in front on the way to Nikolai. But, the pack isn’t far behind.
  Dallas Seavey, Wade Marrs, Mitch Seavey and Hugh Neff are within 10 miles of Petit.
  The Nikolai checkpoint is 263 miles into the race.
  So far, two mushers – Jan Steves of Willow and Martin Koenig of Montana – have scratched
  
  Read more

• Too Soon Gone – Gary Braasch, Visual Chronicler of Climate Change

  08-03-2016 13:30 via dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com
  A photographer roaming the globe to chronicle global warming dies exploring an imperiled reef.
  
  Read more

• Preparing for extreme spring fire danger

  08-03-2016 06:37
  
  The strange winter we’ve had has already spawned wild fires, as early as February. We could be facing a dangerous spring and, depending on the weather, a smoky summer. On this edition of Hometown Alaska, we hear from experts on the wildfire situation in Alaska, fire weather, and the practical steps you can take to protect your property from fire. 
  HOST: Charles Wohlforth
  GUESTS:
  John See, Anchorage Fire Department forester
  Louise Fode, National Weather Service
  
  Read more

• Alaska Airlines cited for unsafe working conditions - KIRO Seattle

  08-03-2016 05:18
  KIRO Seattle
  Alaska Airlines cited for unsafe working conditions
  KIRO Seattle
  The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries recently issued citations to Alaska Airlines and its ground handling contractor, Menzies Aviation, for health and safety violations. Alaska was fined $7,000; Menzies was fined $62,000. Both have ...
  Alaska Airlines Fined By Labor & IndustriesKPQall 6 news articles »
  

• After long delay, Team Alaska reaches Arctic Winter Games - and wins medals - Alaska Dispatch News

  08-03-2016 04:47
  Alaska Dispatch News
  After long delay, Team Alaska reaches Arctic Winter Games - and wins medals
  Alaska Dispatch News
  After being delayed for more than a day by a blizzard, Team Alaska reached the capital of Greenland in time for Sunday night's Arctic Winter Games opening ceremonies – and then claimed two gold medals when competition began Monday morning.and more »
  

• Job losses predicted in new study would rival Alaska's worst ever - Alaska Dispatch News

  08-03-2016 04:03
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Job losses predicted in new study would rival Alaska's worst ever
  Alaska Dispatch News
  A summary page from the ISER report describing the impact on jobs and the economy from various options for dealing with Alaska's budget gap. Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage. A new study shows that Alaska's ...and more »
  

• Prudhoe Bay rig count to drop by more than half

  08-03-2016 04:00
  
  
  BP is the operator at Prudhoe Bay. It shares ownership of the oilfield with ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. Chevron also holds a small stake. Screenshot: March 7, 2016
  Download Audio
  BP has announced it will cut the number of drilling rigs operating at Prudhoe Bay, from five to two, as a result of low oil prices.
  The decision came after BP’s primary partners in the oilfield, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, asked the company to cut costs, said spokeswoman Dawn Patience. (Chevron also holds a
  
  Read more

• Alaska News Nightly: Monday, Mar. 7, 2016

  08-03-2016 03:47
  
  
  Stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn.
  Download Audio
  Low oil prices lead BP to lower number of drills at Prudhoe Bay
  Rachel Waldholz, APRN – AnchorageBP has announced it will cut the number of drill rigs operating at Prudhoe Bay, from five to two, as a result of low oil prices.
  What’s so crit
  
  Read more

• Hugh Neff Arrives in Rohn in Iditarod 44

  08-03-2016 03:37
  
  Hugh Neff – seen here on Saturday – is racing at the front of Iditarod 44. (Photo by Ben Matheson / Alaska Public Media)
  Yukon Quest champion Hugh Neff is the first musher into the Rohn checkpoint, arriving at 3:57 with all 16 dogs. As of 5:00 Monday afternoon, 20 mushers have followed him out of the Rainy Pass checkpoint en route to Rohn.
  Behind Neff were Noah Burmeister, Paul Gebhardt, and Jason Mackey. Nicholas Petit spent six hours resting in Rainy Pass after his marathon ov
  
  Read more

• House bill would protect use of opioid overdose antidote

  08-03-2016 03:18
  
  
  Download Audio
  The House passed a bill Monday that provides civil immunity to those who give an antidote to reverse overdoses from heroin and other opioid drugs. Anchorage Democratic Senator Johnny Ellis sponsored the bill. This made it unusual, since few bills sponsored by members of the minority party ever come up for votes.
  The passage of Senate Bill 23 received unanimous support, with every representative present voting for it.
  If the Senate – which already passed an earlier version &n
  
  Read more

• Mushing Explained Video: Designing the perfect dog sled

  08-03-2016 03:12
  
  
  Kelly Maixner can carry up to four dogs in his tow-behind trailer. (Photo by Ben Matheson/Alaska Public Media)
  Download Audio
  Iditarod mushers are preparing for a particularly bumpy, brutal ride on the trail’s first leg on icy terrain with little snow. Many have modified their run strategies, and adjusted one of the main tools for keeping a competitive edge: their sleds. Many mushers say durability is trumping speed this year as they expect to take a beating along the early trail.
  Rookie T
  
  Read more

• Blizzard conditions hamper travel on Alaska's North Slope, delay flood mitigation work - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  08-03-2016 03:11
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  Blizzard conditions hamper travel on Alaska's North Slope, delay flood mitigation work
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  A trench dug to divert water from the Dalton Highway is seen on a rare sunny day this week. Blizzard conditions have delayed crews working to keep floodwaters away from the highway on Alaska's North Slope. Photo courtesy Alaska Department of ...and more »
  

• Southeast Alaska growing older faster than rest of state

  08-03-2016 03:04
  
  
  http://media.aprn.org/2016/ann-20160307-06.mp3Download Audio
  Southeast Alaska is growing older faster than any other region in the state. This so-called “Silver Tsunami” is expanding the need for housing, transportation, healthcare and social services.
  CoastAlaska public radio stations are presenting a series of reports talking to our older community members – and those they work with – about many of the issues they face.
  
  Read more

• Southeast Alaska growing faster than rest of state

  08-03-2016 02:59
  
  Southeast Alaska is growing older faster than any other region in the state. This so-called “Silver Tsunami” is expanding the need for housing, transportation, healthcare and social services.CoastAlaska public radio stations are presenting a series of reports talking to our older community members – and those they work with – about many of the issues they face.
  
  Read more

• What’s so critical about polar bear habitat?

  08-03-2016 02:48
  
  Graphics: Federal Register
  A federal appeals court last week ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was following the law when it designated a California-sized piece of the Alaskan Arctic as critical habitat for the polar bear. The ruling dismayed the state of Alaska, the oil industry and several Native groups.  They’d challenged the habitat designation, saying it was too broad and would deter activity in the region. Let’s take a look at this designation and what it could
  
  Read more

• House passes bill protecting those who use antidote overdoses

  08-03-2016 02:44
  
  The House passed a bill Monday that provides civil immunity to those who give an antidote to reverse overdoses from heroin and other opioid drugs. Anchorage Democratic Senator Johnny Ellis sponsored the bill. This made it unusual, since few bills sponsored by members of the minority party ever come up for votes.
  The passage of Senate Bill 23 received unanimous support, with every representative present voting for it.
  If the Senate – which already passed an earlier version – approves
  
  Read more

• Learning through doing in Alaska - Stanford University News

  08-03-2016 01:46
  Stanford University News
  Learning through doing in Alaska
  Stanford University News
  A powerful, immersive course at the edge of wilderness helps Stanford students understand the connections between humans, nature and sustainability. By Ker Than. Instructor Zach Brown lectures about the natural history of the region. (Photo: Ker Than).
  

• Koenig scratches at Skwenta checkpoint

  08-03-2016 01:16
  
  At 2pm, Martin Koenig of Seeley Lake, MT scratched at the Skwentna checkpoint.
  The veteran musher had fallen ill and it prevented him from finishing the race.
  He made the decision to scratch with all 16 of his dogs with him.
  At the time, Hugh Neff was leading the pack of mushers at mile 180 followed by Noah Burmeister and Paul Gebhardt at miles 165 and 161 respectively.
  
  Read more

• Mushing Explained Video: Feeding the furnace of elite Iditarod sled dogs

  08-03-2016 00:36
  
  The lives of the 1,300 sled dogs running now to Nome have led up to this moment as they race to against the world’s best dogs and wiliest mushers. Years of training come down to a couple short weeks of elite performance, sometimes running more than 100 miles per day.
  “The dogs are supreme marathon athletes,” according to Dr. Stuart Nelson, the chief Iditarod veterinarian. “To have a great athletic performance, you need genetics, conditioning, and you need nutrition.&rdqu
  
  Read more

• Tsunami castaways go on display at Oregon coast aquarium

  08-03-2016 00:21
  
  Fishing buoys, fuel drums and even a derelict squid boat were among the tons of debris that floated into Alaska waters after Japan’s 2011 devastating earthquake and tsunami.
  A striped beakfish that hitchhiked across the Pacific Ocean via a probable tsunami wreck now swims at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. (Photo by Tom Banse, Northwest News Network – Oregon)
  An Oregon aquarium is about to open a display of the disaster’s living legacy on March 11.
  Oregon Coast Aquarium assista
  
  Read more

Follow @News_Alaska on Twitter!